OlympicCoach's Blog

The entire team met up again in San Jose, CA on 30 July for our in processing and gear issue.  It was great to be with everyone again and all were excited for what lies ahead.  For our two days of in processing we received media and cultural awareness training from the US Olympic committee.  We also received a through review of the rules of the IOC as well as the rules from the sponsors.  Basically no political statements and make sure you wear the right uniform from the correct vendor when giving a press interview.

While we were in CA we had one optional mat work-out for the athletes. The workout was intended to just have the athletes break a sweat and work out some of the stiffness from traveling. 

With all the gear we received, everyone had to re-pack their bags and figure out what equipment we were going to bring to Beijing.  UPS, being a sponsor of the US Olympic team, offered us free shipping of the gear we didn't want to bring with us. 

Our flight over to Beijing left from San Francisco before noon on 1 Aug and we arrived around 2:30 pm on 2 August.  On the same flight with our team were other Olympians as well.  Some teams which were on our flight are easier to spot than others, like the women's volleyball team, but there were some track & field athletes and a couple of fencers as well.  Overall everyone did pretty well on the flight and now everyone is trying to get their bodies adjusted to the time change.

Once we arrived in China, the Beijing organizers and US Olympic committee personnel took great care of us.  They were able to get us through customs and immigration without a hitch then loaded us on busses for the 40 min ride to the Olympic Village. 

I haven't been here long yet, only four hours to be exact, but from what I have seen so far, the village itself is incredible.  The accommodations are great and so is the entire landscape.  We are living in appartment buildings that were built for the games and the entire US delegation, is spread out in two of the nine-story buildings.  I really didn't get to see much more than that because after getting settled into our rooms, getting a quick bite to eat, then attending yet another brief about the village and all its amenities it was already dark.  Maybe next post I will get some pictures. 

One thing for sure, all the athletes are fired up and ready to get these games started.   We have a practice scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and we will continue training until we compete on the 12th. 

-Going for gold.